a writer's give and take

Review: “White Charles” by Sarah Monette

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has inspired much analysis, exploration, and extrapolation on behalf of writers over the centuries. Many works inspired by Shelley, show the scholar/scientists “playing god” without regard to those they hurt. The Island of Dr. Moreau is a famous example. A few look to the psychology of the “monster,” as is the case with this tale.

The Frankenstein connection is boldly called out for comparison by the museum archivist, Mr. Booth, that narrates this story. A golem-like creature is discovered to have been brought to “life” by a centuries-dead alchemist-necromancer. Mr. Booth discovers the creature when attending to a donated estate–the creature immediately prepares to defend itself. However, the creature is not happy being a not-quite-living thing when it was never meant to be alive. . .

An interesting post-slavery, racial perspective on the golem’s position of servitude stands as a welcome surprise. Less enamoring is the archivist’s analytic voice which reminded me of Shelley’s impassive, distant narration style.